The arrests and charges in Matthew Perry's death investigation explained: Defendants and timeline of events

The LAPD and the DEA have concluded their investigation into the death of beloved actor Matthew Perry. Federal charges have been brought on five individuals allegedly responsible for distributing ketamine to the Friends star over the course of two months. One of the defendants is Perry's live-in personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, who had found him in the jacuzzi on Oct. 28, 2023.

In a press conference on Aug. 15, 2024, E. Martin Estrada, United States Attorney for the Central District of California, stated that the investigation had unearthed a "broad, underground network responsible for distributing large amounts of ketamine" not only to Perry but others as well. While speaking to the press, Estrada disclosed a rough timeline of events that led to the actor's death along with information on the charges the defendants face.

Below you'll find a video of CBS News' coverage of the press conference as well as the names of the individuals that have been charged, a summary of the timeline, and the charges that have been filed.

The defendants

• Dr. Salvador Plasencia (lead defendant)
• Jasveen Sangha (lead defendant)
• Dr. Mark Chavez
• Erik Fleming, Sangha's broker
• Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry's personal assistant

The timeline of events that led to Matthew Perry's death

Fall 2023: Perry relapsed at some point after seeking treatment for anxiety and depression at a local clinic where ketamine therapy was administered.

September 2023

• Plasencia and Chavez worked together to obtain ketamine for Perry and did so with Iwamasa's involvement. They distributed the drug to the actor from September to October 2023 which amounted to approximately 20 vials of ketamine for approximately $55,000 in cash.
• Plasencia sent a text message that read "I wonder how much this moron will pay" in reference to Perry and in subsequent messages made clear that he wanted to be his "go to" as in his sole supplier of the drug.

Sometime between September and October 28, 2023: Plasencia administered ketamine to Perry and noticed that actor had frozen up and his blood pressure had spiked. Notably, this did not stop him from continuing to supply the actor with the drug or leaving vials with Iwamasa who doesn't have the medical expertise, training, or license to administer a controlled substance.

October 2023

• Plasencia shared with a patient in mid-October that Perry was "spiraling out of control with his addiction" and still didn't stop administrating ketamine to him.
• Over a two week period, Sangha sold large amounts of ketamine to the actor. In total, it was approximately 50 vials of the drug for approximately $11,000 in cash. She worked with a broker by the name of Erik Fleming and Iwamasa was also involved.
• Fleming via text message: "I wouldn't do it if there wasn't a chance of me making some money for doing this."
• Oct. 28: Matthew Perry died from the batch of ketamine Sangha sold him. As news broke of his passing, she instructed Fleming to delete their messages.

What the investigation found

• In an effort to cover his tracks, Plasencia falsified medical records and notes to give the appearance that what he had been doing was above board and legitimate.
• Police found what Estrada referred to as a "drug selling emporium" in Sangha's home. She was in possession of 80 vials of ketamine, thousands of pills containing methamphetamine, cocaine, bottles of Xanax, and other prescription drugs that were illegally obtained as well as scales and ledgers.
• Sangha has been named in the death of Cody McLaury who she'd sold ketamine to in 2019. She was informed by his family member that he'd died from the drug the same day he purchased it. A drug distribution charge has been filed related to his death.

The charges

• Conspiracy to distribute ketamine
• Distribution of ketamine resulting in death
• Maintaining drug-involved premises (Sangha's emporium)
• Altering and falsifying records related to a federal investigation
• Multiple other drug trafficking counts

Plasencia is facing a maximum of 120 years in federal prison. Sangha could be looking at life in prison. Estrada did not share the maximum sentencing the remaining three defendants could be facing.